Table of Contents - Issue

Volume 1 | Issue 2

The Journal of Management tries to focus on the pragmatics of Information Management practice and action, amenable and digestible to the practical action, etc. This journal encourages new perspectives and ideas based on the current research.

This issue discuss about the Civil Service Reforms and National Development in Nigeria. The Moral standards and Corporation’s Moral Responsibility and The Importance of Payback method in Capital Budgeting decisions. This issue also highlights on the analysis of effects of Working Capital management on Profitability of manufacturing companies on Nairobi Security Exchange, the Role of Commercial Banks in Ghana in Mobilizing Deposits and the Dynamics of Savings Culture in Ghana

Recent articles

The Importance of Payback Method in Capital Budgeting Decisions

Abstract:

Purpose
– To investigate the importance of using
payback method in making capital budget decisions in relation to other appraisal
techniques used for capital budgeting decision in organizations. The paper also
included the examination of the importance of the payback method in relation to
simplicity, manager incentive compensation and the size of the company.

Design/methodology/approach
– The author used conceptual analysis using theories on payback period in which
secondary data from past research in African, European and American companies were
analyzed to determine the importance of the payback method in capital budgeting.

Findings
– The analysis show that
the payback method is preferred in appraising
capital budget decisions in various organizations
because of its
simplicity, liquidity and risk assessment
among many other advantages. Managers should complement payback method
with other methods in order to make a sound investment decisions.

Performance Appraisal as an Employee Evaluation Tool in an Organization like the Integrity Commission of Guyana

Abstract:

To evaluate an employee is a management task
and a tool that is constantly used is Performance Appraisal. The business
dictionary.com define Performance Appraisal in three parts that is, it is the
process where managers/consultant 1) examines and evaluates an employee’s work
behavior by comparing it with present standards, 2) documents the results of
the comparison, and 3) uses the results to provide feedback to the employee to
show where improvements are needed and why.
An efficient and effective organization will constantly performed
evaluation on its employees to measure their work performance on the job. An
organization must understand that Performance Appraisal is not the only tool to
measure an employee performance. Employees’ evaluation is an assessment/ review
of an employee job performance. Performance Appraisal is a formal/objective
assessment of an employee’s job performance. This Performance Appraisal at the Integrity
Commission is an evaluation tool that will identify employees that are
performing from the one that is not. An organization Performance Appraisal must
have a clear purpose and measurable objective. The most common errors in the
evaluation process are the halo and horn effect or a poorly designed
Performance Appraisal. To overcome these errors, manager/supervisors should
have discussions with the employees when designing the Performance Appraisal so
that their goals and objective can also be incorporated with the position goals
and objectives.The Performance Appraisal is presented as an
evaluation tool used at the Integrity Commission in Guyana. The Commission had
taken into consideration Milan Fekete research in which he said that Van and
Dan den Berglie (2004) said that organizational performance is “the measurement
and reporting system/ tools that qualifies the degree to which managers achieve
their objectives”. At the Office of the Integrity Commission evaluation of
employee is done every six (6) months using the Performance Appraisal to see
whether an employee was performing on the job in order to be eligible for the payment
of his/her gratuity, to identify areas that need training. In designing the
Performance Appraisal for the Integrity Commission, it adopted the following questions
poses by Milan in his research to make it an effective evaluation tool:

1.Who should design the evaluation
process?

2.Who should evaluate whom?

3.Who should review the evaluation
results?

4.How these results could be
exploited?

In
adopting these questions the performance appraisal as an evaluation tool at the
Integrity Commission was a success.

Keywords: Employees Evaluation,
Performance Appraisal.

Performance Appraisal as an Employee Evaluation Tool in an Organization like the Integrity Commission of Guyana

Moral Standards and Corporation’s Moral Responsibility

Abstract:

It has been an old argument that Business
Corporation is a legal entity, separate entity and separate from the owner. It
has blanket to protect itself from being sued. Corporate veil has been used as
shield to protect itself from prosecution. With such protection, how can it be
morally responsible for its act? Moral responsibility is only applied to human,
not to any other things. However, this paper will argue otherwise. Based on
paper reviews, it is found that one of the requirements in determining moral
responsibility is the presence or the absence of knowledge and free will in a
certain act. Such requirement clearly strengthen the idea that corporation,
though it is a separate entity from the owner may not completely out of hand,
wash its hands and can just do what it wants but it has to be also guided by
moral standards and take moral responsibility to its immoral actions. The
reason is that a corporation as an entity is still composed of rational beings
that have knowledge and free will in pursuing their objectives. Therefore, when
things go wrong in the corporation, it is not only individual employees who
committed the crime are taking the moral blame but also the corporation as a
whole including the owner.

[7.]
Braithwaite, John & Fisse, Brent. 1998.
The Allocation of Responsibility for Corporate Crime: Individualism,
Collectivism and Accountability. University of Sidney Law Review. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/SydLRev/1988/3.pdf.
Assessed March 15, 2015.

[8.] Bodenheimer,
E. 1980.Philosophy of
Responsibility. American Business Law Journal: Law School of
University of California: Davis

Improving Access to HIV and Aids Services for Key Populations in Jinja District – Uganda

Abstract:

Background:
This paper details the application of knowledge and skills gained from
Total Quality Management, Management Information Systems and Research
Methodologies trainings from TAU in increasing access to HIV and AIDS services
to key populations in Jinja district. Uganda has continued to suffer from the
adverse effects of HIV and AIDS for almost three decades now, with the HIV
prevalence rising from 6.4% in 2005 to 7.3 in 2011%, (UAIS 2011 Report). This
was attributed to the increase in the rate of occurrence of new HIV infections,
even when access to Ante Retroviral Therapy (ART) for the general population
was increasing. The Uganda Ministry of Health noted that the major sources of
new infections are the Key Populations.

Key
Populations’ are those categories of people who are most likely to be exposed
to HIV infection and or most likely to transmit HIV to their sexual partners.
According to studies, Key
Populations in Uganda have higher HIV prevalence rates above the National HIV
prevalence rate of 7.3%, sometimes often more than twice the national average.
Key Populations in Uganda include; Fisher folk, Sex workers and their partners,
Uniformed personnel, Long distance drivers and Men who have Sex with Men (MSM).

Methods:
A PLACE (Priorities for Local
AIDS Control Efforts)study conducted by Makerere University and
Jinja District Local Government revealed that there were limited interventions in
the district to address the challenges of access to HIV and AIDS services for
the Key Populations yet they existed in the district. The Jinja district health
team came up with interventions to address such challenges faced by Key
Populations starting September 2015. The goal
of the interventions is to reduce new HIV infections in Jinja district by
providing universal access to HIV prevention, care and treatment services to
Key Populations in the Jinja district. The specific objectives are; To provide
factual information on issues related to HIV and AIDS among Key Populations to
the general population including the health workers. To mitigate specific
drivers increased HIV infection/transmission among Key Populations. To scale up
delivery of comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services to Key
Populations. To build a strong enabling environment for equitable and
sustainable delivery of HIV prevention and treatment services to Key
Populations, and lastly is to strengthen the strategic information system for
program and policy improvement for Key Populations.

Achievements: The project identified a few key populations for consultations on how
best they would access and or be provided healthcare services. Venues where Key
populations could easy be found were identified and sensitization of 60
managers in these venues about the intended interventions for the key
populations was done. 90 leaders of the different categories of the key
population were also identified for orientation and easy mobilization of their
peers for services that we offer. The project also prepared 120 health workers
to provide services to the key populations. Special clinics for key populations
were created for easy access to the different services and to reduce stigma and
discrimination. Logistical support is very vital and there was budgeting and
procurement of condom dispensers, information and communication posters, and
drugs. HIV Counselling and Testing outreaches conducted and 510 key populations
have been tested for HIV. Data collection tools were modified to suit the
project information demands. The challenges expected when serving key
populations in Uganda are mainly security agencies interference, ethical
dilemmas, lack of legal framework to provide such services to key population
and limited finances to meet the created demands.

Conclusion: HIV
prevention, care and treatment interventions have been limited in the Uganda
health care system and introduction of such services have been observed to be
key in reducing HIV transmission among the population

Improving Access to HIV and Aids Services for Key Populations in Jinja District – Uganda

Analysis of Effects of Working Capital Management on Profitability of Manufacturing Companies: A Case Study of Listed Manufacturing Companies on Nairobi Security Exchange

Abstract:

The purpose
of this paper is to analyze the effect of working capital management on profitability
of manufacturing companies for a sample of Nine firms listed on Nairobi Securities
Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper includes a conceptual as well as empirical analysis, in
which data from a sample of listed firms for the period from 2006 to 2010 are analyzed
to examine the effect of working capital management on profitability of manufacturing
firms. The author used OLS regression techniques to test assumptions and several different
models were also run.

Findings – The
study reveals that effective working capital management
has great impact on profitability. He suggested that managers
should focus on managing working capital components to achieve profitability of
their companies

Originality/value – The paper's originality and value lies in suggesting that financial
managers should pay more attention to working capital management of manufacturing
firms and other companies in general to optimize
the value of the share holders
and maintain a favorable trade-off between liquidity and profitability

[22.] Ghosh SK, Maji SG, 2003. Working capital management efficiency:
a study on the Indian cement industry. The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants
of India. (http://www.icwai.org/icwai/knowledgebank/fm47.pdf) 38

Civil Service Reforms and National Development in Nigeria

Abstract:

Civil service is an
executive arm of government that implements the programmes and policies of
government efficiently and effectively to enhance national development. Civil servants are
crops of technocrat at federal, state and local level who assist government of
the day with their wealth of knowledge and experience to carry out their legitimate
business. Nigerian civil service has been in dilemma of partisan politics,
red-tapism, leakages, wastage, non professionalism, unproductive, redundancy
and over-bloated ghost workers from one administration to another since independence
of 1960. Civil service revolves around people to achieve result, this prompted why
successive regimes have bent on reforming to improve the machinery of government;
yet the effort remain obsolescence, no enthusiasm to execute government
policies. The paper examines various reforms in Nigeria civil service and finalize
that nothing has been done for better service delivery. The lacuna experienced
in Nigerian civil service is not far from the structure of Nigerian state
coupled with socio-cultural factors on the aegis of federal character principle
and quota system all this floored national development. To ameliorate this
persistent deterioration of bureaucratic bottleneck, inefficiency and unaccountability,
this demands meritocracy in the altar of mediocrity during appointment to enhance
national development. The bureaucratic theory of Max Webber should be in place
in the context of civil service reform in Nigeria to achieve result. The paper
concludes that civil service reform in Nigeria will build human capacity to
improve institutional structures and achieve the goal of national development.

[26]. Larbi, G (1998): “Management Decentralization in Practice: A
Comparison of Public Health and Water Resources in Ghana’ in Minougue, M, et al
(eds.) Beyond the New Public Management: Changing Ideas and Practices in
Governance, Ghana, Blackwell publishing.

[27]. Ogunrotifa, A
(2012): Federal Civil Service Reform in Nigeria: The Case of Democratic
Centralism. Journal of Radix International Educational and Research
Consortium (RIJS) Vol.1, (10), 2250 – 3994.

[28]. Okotoni, O. (1996):
“Continuity in Policy Process’ in J.O. Ogunsola (ed.) A Book of Readings in
Public Administration Ilorin, Dept of Public Administration, Kwara State
Polytechnic, 11-18.

[29]. Okpata, F. (2004): “The Politics of National Development in
Nigeria” African Journal of
Political and Administrative Studies Vol.5 (3), 29-39

[30]. Olaleye, A.O (2001): “The Public Service and Development in Nigeria”
in Ola.R. and Agagu A. (eds.) Development Agenda of the Nigerian State Ibadan,
Flag (Nigeria) Publishers.

[31]. Olagunju (2000): The Role of Civil Service in Nigeria, Ibadan,
ACF Publishers.

Mobilizing deposits; the role of Commercial Banks in Ghana

Abstract:

Commercial banks are the main controller of
the financial system in Ghana performing financial intermediation. They control
greater portion of the investment funds from domestic deposits and are the main
creditors of the corporate bodies, SMEs and individual investors. However, the
amount of domestic funds that commercial banks receive is far below the level
sustainable for self-sufficiency. Huge volumes of loanable funds are left out
of the banking system and it needs the efforts of the commercial banks to tap
them into productive uses. The purpose of this study therefore is to identify
the most effective and efficient ways commercial banks in Ghana should employ
to maximize the volume of domestic deposits in the environment of high rural
population, dominant informal sector employment and macroeconomic instability.
Thus, the study aims to evaluate the design of bank products and services,
assess their effectiveness of harnessing domestic deposits and challenges they
face in mobilizing deposits. This research is based on relevant books,
journals, articles and other publications. In addition, data from commercial
banks in Ghana on deposits they received from 2000 to 2004 were studied to make
recommendations. Results from the analysis indicated that deposits mobilization
of Commercial Banks in Ghana though, has an upward trend, it increases at a
decreasing rate hence, the present level of deposits as a ratio of the total
amount of money in circulation is woefully inadequate. The study also reveals
certain basic facts about commercial banks in Ghana. Their concentration in the
cities and a few urban areas as well as their product design and services are
targeted to the literate formal sector employees. In addition, unfavourable
macroeconomic conditions have resulted in negative real interest rate on
deposits while unnecessary government intervention has reduced the confidence
in the banking sector. The effects of these factors are the low deposits that
commercial banks receive. The study concluded with recommendations for
commercial banks such as; the need to redefine their product target, increase
their scope to include the large majority etc. in order to ensure improvements
in their operations.

Patients and Health Workers’ Engagement in Patient Safety in Healthcare in Kitgum General Hospital

Abstract:

Introduction: The delivery of health care is known to involve
potential safety risks for the patients who are supposed to benefit from
medical treatment and care. Over the years, efforts have been put in place to
reduce the occurrence of safety risks and improve on patient quality of care.
Both the health care providers and patients have their respective roles to
play. Bringing on board patients in efforts to minimise safety risks, also
known as patient engagement, proved effective.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were; to ascertain the
level of awareness about patient safety in healthcare among patients and health
workers, to determine the level of health workers engagement in patient safety
in healthcare, assess the level of patient engagement in patient safety, as
well as to determine the factors affecting patients and health workers
engagement in patient safety in health care in Kitgum General Hospital.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross sectional study of
patients and health workers’engagement in patient safety in healthcare in Kitgum
General Hospital (KGH). The study took both qualitative and quantitative
dimensions. A probability sample of 384 patients was interviewed using
structured questionnaires and 103health workers were studied by observation and
key informant interviews. Documentation review of previous patient files
(50files) was carried out to assess the depth of patient identification, as a
measure to minimize medical errors. Pre-testing of the questionnaires and
training of research Assistants were done prior to the study to ensure quality
of the research. Ethical considerations in research were strictly adhered to.

Results: The level of awareness about patient safety among
patients and health workers was found to be 46.5% and 51% respectively.

The level of
health workers engagement in patient safety was found to be 51.4% while
engagement of patients in patient safety was at 52.1%

The factors
affecting patients and health workers engagement were mainly demographic
factors such as age and level of education, among others.

Conclusion: In conclusion, health workers in KGH were 4.5% more
aware about patient safety than the patients. However, patients in KGH are 0.7%
more engaged in patient safety than the health workers.

Patients and Health Workers’ Engagement in Patient Safety in Healthcare in Kitgum General Hospital

[39] Kommune, K. 2010. The nursing professional response to
living at home citizens who use multiple drugs simultaneously. A report on the
achievements and challenges of medicine in home care. The Danish Institute
for Health Services Research [Online]. Available:
www.htk.dk/.../Byraad-Dagsorden-19-06-2012.pdf [Accessed 31/12/2013].

Dynamics of Savings Culture in Gahna

Abstract:

In
Ghana and most developing parts of the world, families feel that it’s
troublesome or skirting on hard to save as a result of low levels of wages
(Boateng, 1994). The low profit of Ghanaian families is a result of the low
levels of budgetary improvement consolidated with distinctive components, for
instance, unlucky deficiency of training. The purpose of the study was to find out the determinants of savings
culture in Kumasi, the second capital of Ghana. Quantitative methodology was
used and sample was obtained from selected households in Kumasi. The
study assembled and made utilization of primary data through the organization
of organized surveys. Questionnaires
were used as a data collection tool and SPSS a statically tool was used to analyze
the data. It was discovered in the study that, relatively high
level of savings culture among the people of Kumasi metropolis. Respondents
preferred to save more for the future, they planned life ahead of time, saving
money was a virtue, respondents paid
close attention to how much money they spend, and before they purchased
anything, they compared prices on similar items. The study recommends that financial
institutions improve their operational and marketing strategies to attract all
persons in the qualified age bracket being it male and female and also governing bodies like the Bank of Ghana, must take drastic measures to close
down all these illegal financial institutions in the system that is dragging
the reputation of the rest into the mud.